Whippet NX & Flixbus

Sunday 18 November 2018 (1227) – Whippet Coaches NX23 (BL17 XBB) seen arriving at King Street, Mildenhall when working the 1045 National Express service 727 from Norwich to Gatwick Airport. It is a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K410 new in June 2017.

Tuesday 13 August 2019 (1019) – Whippet Coaches NX22 (BL17 XBA), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K410 new in June 2017, seen arriving in Mildenhall when working the 0630 National Express service 727 from Heathrow to Norwich. Service 727 had its origins as a ‘Jetlink’ branded service which later saw operation under the ‘National Express Airport’ brand. It was worked by National Express Operations Limited for a number of years (covered from garages near Heathrow and Stansted Airports as well as from an outstation at Norwich). In January 2018 Whippet took over as the contractor for this service (and for some of the London services from Norfolk and Suffolk) working from an outstation near Diss/Eye in Suffolk.

Saturday 24 August 2019 (1228) – Bank Holiday traffic on the eastbound carriageway of the A11 leading towards Fiveways roundabout, Barton Mills. Whippet Coaches NX32 (BV67 JZO), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K410 new in January 2018, was working the 0830 National Express service 727 running a little late – it was due at Mildenhall at 1215. The coach had left the dual carriageway at Chalk Hill to use the parallel section of the original old road. It was now about to re-join the queuing traffic on the dual carriageway on which there is a flour tanker of Heygates Flour. These vehicles are a regular sight to and from the former Marston’s Mill at nearby Icklingham. Heygates acquired Marstons in 2017. (In April 2021 this vehicle received Flixbus livery when Whippet took on a number of contracts for that company).

Saturday 24 August 2019 (1227) – The house in this photograph was originally the Dog and Partridge Inn and the chimney pots on the right (which are not a sophisticated aircon unit of the coach!) are on the house that lies within the old Sandford’s Garden Centre site on Newmarket Road, Barton Mills. The road across the front of both buildings was once the main A11 road linking Newmarket and Fiveways, Barton Mills and a section of road that was used by numerous National Express services in the past. When the dual carriageway was opened (out of shot behind the camera) this section of road continued to serve as a local relatively quiet road until traffic queues form on the dual carriageway and then it becomes a rat run for traffic to beat the queues (and sometimes the traffic also has to queue as here!). Whippet Coaches NX32 (BV67 JZO), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K410 new in January 2018, was working the 0830 National Express service 727 running a little late – it was due at Mildenhall at 1215. (In April 2021 this vehicle received Flixbus livery when Whippet took on a number of contracts for that company). Over the years I have taken a number of photographs around this spot but in more recent years the opportunities have been less. This is one from 1985 before the dual carriageway was opened www.ipernity.com/doc/davidslater-spoddendale/41385644/in/album/896958 and one from 1991 of a coach on a refreshment break there: www.ipernity.com/doc/davidslater-spoddendale/44338932

Bank Holiday Monday 26 August 2019 (1226) – On the right in this view of Newmarket Road, Barton Mills is the site once occupied by Sandford’s Garden Centre. The section of road was once the main A11 road linking Newmarket and Fiveways, Barton Mills and a section of road that was used by numerous National Express services in the past. When the dual carriageway was opened (out of shot to the left) this section of road continued to serve as a local relatively quiet road until traffic queues form on the dual carriageway and then it becomes a rat run for traffic to beat the queues (and sometimes the traffic also has to queue as here!). In the queuing traffic is Whippet Coaches NX32 (BV67 JZO), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K410 new in January 2018, was working the 0830 National Express service 727 running a little late – it was due at Mildenhall at 1215. Over the years I have taken a number of photographs around this spot but in more recent years the opportunities have been less. This is one from 1985 before the dual carriageway was opened: www.ipernity.com/doc/davidslater-spoddendale/41385644/in/album/896958 (In April 2021 this vehicle received Flixbus livery when Whippet took on a number of contracts for that company).

Thursday 26 March 2020 (1240) – In response to the Covid-19 Coronavirus outbreak and the consequential reduction in passengers, National Express cut many services effective Tuesday 24 March 2020. From that date a limited number of routes operated on a temporary timetable with services numbered in the 800 series. Service 813 operates from Great Yarmouth to London (Victoria Coach Station) via Norwich, Thetford, Newmarket, Cambridge, Stansted Airport and Stratford with two departures from Great Yarmouth (at 0620 and 1050) and one from Norwich (at 1530). The northbound journeys depart Victoria at 0930 (to Norwich only) followed by two journeys to Great Yarmouth at 1200 and 1630. Whippet Coaches NX28 (BV67 JZN), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K410 new in January 2018, was seen on the A11 near Kennett as it worked the 1050 departure from Great Yarmouth that would arrive Victoria at 1525 returning on the 1630 northbound service arriving in Great Yarmouth at 2055. Normally this particular coach is one of the regular machines that work the National Express service 727 from Norwich to Heathrow and Gatwick Airports which also travels along this road, a service curtailed for the period of the emergency measures.

Saturday 4 April 2020 (1234 BST) – In response to the Covid-19 Coronavirus outbreak and the consequential reduction in passengers, National Express cut many services effective Tuesday 24 March 2020. From that date a limited number of routes operated on a temporary timetable with services numbered in the 800 series. Initially service 813 operated from Great Yarmouth to London (Victoria Coach Station) via Norwich, Thetford, Newmarket, Cambridge, Stansted Airport and Stratford with two departures from Great Yarmouth (at 0620 and 1050) and one from Norwich (at 1530). The northbound journeys departed Victoria at 0930 (to Norwich only) followed by two journeys to Great Yarmouth at 1200 and 1630. However, on Wednesday 1 April 2020 the service was cut back further and the only trip was an 1130 departure from Norwich arriving in Victoria at 1525 returning from Victoria at 1630. Within days of that happening it was announced that both National Express and Megabus would cease operating completely after Sunday 5 April 2020 until further notice. Whippet Coaches NX28 (BV67 JZN), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K410 new in January 2018, was seen on the A11 at Barton Mills as it worked the 1130 from Norwich to Victoria. Normally this particular coach is one of the regular machines that work the National Express service 727 from Norwich to Heathrow and Gatwick Airports which also travels along this road, a service curtailed for the period of the emergency measures.

Saturday 4 April 2020 (1234 BST) – In response to the Covid-19 Coronavirus outbreak and the consequential reduction in passengers, National Express cut many services effective Tuesday 24 March 2020. From that date a limited number of routes operated on a temporary timetable with services numbered in the 800 series. Initially service 813 operated from Great Yarmouth to London (Victoria Coach Station) via Norwich, Thetford, Newmarket, Cambridge, Stansted Airport and Stratford with two departures from Great Yarmouth (at 0620 and 1050) and one from Norwich (at 1530). The northbound journeys departed Victoria at 0930 (to Norwich only) followed by two journeys to Great Yarmouth at 1200 and 1630. However, on Wednesday 1 April 2020 the service was cut back further and the only trip was an 1130 departure from Norwich arriving in Victoria at 1525 returning from Victoria at 1630. Within days of that happening it was announced that both National Express and Megabus would cease operating completely after Sunday 5 April 2020 until further notice. Whippet Coaches NX28 (BV67 JZN), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K410 new in January 2018, was seen just after leaving Fiveways roundabout Barton Mills as it worked the 1130 from Norwich to Victoria. Normally this particular coach is one of the regular machines that work the National Express service 727 from Norwich to Heathrow and Gatwick Airports which also travels along this road, a service curtailed for the period of the emergency measures.

Saturday 4 April 2020 (1234 BST) – In response to the Covid-19 Coronavirus outbreak and the consequential reduction in passengers, National Express cut many services effective Tuesday 24 March 2020. From that date a limited number of routes operated on a temporary timetable with services numbered in the 800 series. Initially service 813 operated from Great Yarmouth to London (Victoria Coach Station) via Norwich, Thetford, Newmarket, Cambridge, Stansted Airport and Stratford with two departures from Great Yarmouth (at 0620 and 1050) and one from Norwich (at 1530). The northbound journeys departed Victoria at 0930 (to Norwich only) followed by two journeys to Great Yarmouth at 1200 and 1630. However, on Wednesday 1 April 2020 the service was cut back further and the only trip was an 1130 departure from Norwich arriving in Victoria at 1525 returning from Victoria at 1630. Within days of that happening it was announced that both National Express and Megabus would cease operating completely after Sunday 5 April 2020 until further notice. Whippet Coaches NX28 (BV67 JZN), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K410 new in January 2018, was as it pulled away from Fiveways roundabout Barton Mills as it worked the 1130 from Norwich to Victoria. Normally this particular coach is one of the regular machines that work the National Express service 727 from Norwich to Heathrow and Gatwick Airports which also travels along this road, a service curtailed for the period of the emergency measures.

Sunday 5 April 2020 (1232 BST) – In response to the Covid-19 Coronavirus outbreak and the consequential reduction in passengers, National Express cut many services effective Tuesday 24 March 2020 and from that date a limited number of routes operated on a temporary timetable. Then on Wednesday 1 April 2020 those services were cut further with the announcement that from 2359 on Sunday 5 April 2020 all services would cease until at least 1 June 2020. On this last day Whippet Coaches NX29 (BV67 JZP), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K440 new in January 2018, was seen on the A11 at Barton Mills as it worked the 1130 from Norwich to Victoria. Normally this particular coach is one of the regular machines that work the National Express service 727 from Norwich to Heathrow and Gatwick Airports which also travels along this road, a service curtailed for the period of the emergency measures. The services introduced on the temporary timetable on 24 March 2020 were numbered in the 800 series with service 813 operating from Great Yarmouth to London (Victoria Coach Station) via Norwich, Thetford, Newmarket, Cambridge, Stansted Airport and Stratford with two departures from Great Yarmouth (at 0620 and 1050) and one from Norwich (at 1530). The northbound journeys departed Victoria at 0930 (to Norwich only) followed by two journeys to Great Yarmouth at 1200 and 1630. From 1 April 2020 this was reduced to just one trip departing Norwich at 1130 arriving Victoria at 1525 returning from Victoria at 1630.

Sunday 5 April 2020 (1232 BST) – In response to the Covid-19 Coronavirus outbreak and the consequential reduction in passengers, National Express cut many services effective Tuesday 24 March 2020 and from that date a limited number of routes operated on a temporary timetable. Then on Wednesday 1 April 2020 those services were cut further with the announcement that from 2359 on Sunday 5 April 2020 all services would cease until at least 1 June 2020. On this last day Whippet Coaches NX29 (BV67 JZP), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K440 new in January 2018, was seen on the A11 at Barton Mills as it worked the 1130 from Norwich to Victoria. Normally this particular coach is one of the regular machines that work the National Express service 727 from Norwich to Heathrow and Gatwick Airports which also travels along this road, a service curtailed for the period of the emergency measures. The services introduced on the temporary timetable on 24 March 2020 were numbered in the 800 series with service 813 operating from Great Yarmouth to London (Victoria Coach Station) via Norwich, Thetford, Newmarket, Cambridge, Stansted Airport and Stratford with two departures from Great Yarmouth (at 0620 and 1050) and one from Norwich (at 1530). The northbound journeys departed Victoria at 0930 (to Norwich only) followed by two journeys to Great Yarmouth at 1200 and 1630. From 1 April 2020 this was reduced to just one trip departing Norwich at 1130 arriving Victoria at 1525 returning from Victoria at 1630.

Sunday 5 April 2020 (1232 BST) – In response to the Covid-19 Coronavirus outbreak and the consequential reduction in passengers, National Express cut many services effective Tuesday 24 March 2020 and from that date a limited number of routes operated on a temporary timetable. Then on Wednesday 1 April 2020 those services were cut further with the announcement that from 2359 on Sunday 5 April 2020 all services would cease until at least 1 June 2020. On this last day Whippet Coaches NX29 (BV67 JZP), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K440 new in January 2018, was seen on the A11 at Barton Mills as it worked the 1130 from Norwich to Victoria. Normally this particular coach is one of the regular machines that work the National Express service 727 from Norwich to Heathrow and Gatwick Airports which also travels along this road, a service curtailed for the period of the emergency measures. The services introduced on the temporary timetable on 24 March 2020 were numbered in the 800 series with service 813 operating from Great Yarmouth to London (Victoria Coach Station) via Norwich, Thetford, Newmarket, Cambridge, Stansted Airport and Stratford with two departures from Great Yarmouth (at 0620 and 1050) and one from Norwich (at 1530). The northbound journeys departed Victoria at 0930 (to Norwich only) followed by two journeys to Great Yarmouth at 1200 and 1630. From 1 April 2020 this was reduced to just one trip departing Norwich at 1130 arriving Victoria at 1525 returning from Victoria at 1630.

Tuesday 1 September 2020 (0716) – Whippet Coaches NX17 (BV17 GSU, a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K410 new in March 2017, seen at Parkside, Cambridge having arrived with the 0535 National Express service 727 from Norwich. It then continued to Heathrow Airport. In the background is City of Oxford Motor Services Limited 59 (BM68 AHU), a Caetano Levante bodied Volvo B11RT new in February 2019, which was between trips on National Express service 737. It had worked the 0630 trip from Stansted arriving here at 0715 and departed at 0820 for Oxford at 0820 (arriving there at 1300). Looking at the timetable it looked like it may have worked the 0200 service from Oxford to Stansted (arriving at 0535).

Friday 10 April 2015 (1147) - Go-Whippet of Swavesey became a National Express contractor in late 2014 around the same time that the Lee family sold the business to Tower Transit. Some of the coaches to operate the contracts were transferred from National Express itself. The legal lettering on NX04 (FJ57 KJU), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K340, was shown on an adhesive panel stuck over the National Express details.

Friday 10 April 2015 (1148) - Go-Whippet of Swavesey became a National Express contractor in late 2014 around the same time that the Lee family sold the business to Tower Transit. NX04 (FJ57 KJU), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K340, new to National Express itself in November 2007, was seen at Parkside, Cambridge between trips on the National Express service 010 to/from London. The 010 had previously been operated by TGM Group.

Friday 10 April 2015 (0826) - Go-Whippet of Swavesey became a National Express contractor in late 2014 around the same time that the Lee family sold the business to Tower Transit. NX01 (FJ57 KHO), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K340, new to National Express itself in November 2007, was seen passing the Newmarket Road Park and Ride site in Cambridge when operating the 0700 National Express service 012 from Dereham. There is just one trip on this section each day operating via Swaffham, Mundford and Brandon which, upon arrival at Cambridge slots in to the main Cambridge-London service 010 pattern for the run to Victoria. The 010 and 012 services had previously been operated by TGM Group.

Friday 10 April 2015 (1147) - Go-Whippet of Swavesey became a National Express contractor in late 2014 around the same time that the Lee family sold the business to Tower Transit. NX04 (FJ57 KJU), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K340, new to National Express itself in November 2007, was seen at Parkside, Cambridge between trips on the National Express service 010 to/from London. The 010 had previously been operated by TGM Group.

Sunday 7 October 2018 (1012) – A1101, Fiveways, Barton Mills. Heading away from the camera is Theobold’s Coaches of Dunstable, Bedfordshire L15 TBC which had just pulled out of the Shell Service Area after taking a refreshment break on a private hire charter. It is a Neoplan N516 that had been new to Parry’s of Cheslyn Hey in March 2004 as YN04 AUU. Heading towards the camera is Whippet Coaches NX18 (BL17 XAW), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K410 new in June 2017, working the 0630 National Express service 727 from Heathrow Airport to Norwich (due at Mildenhall at 1015)